Canadian and Danish government groups are starting to collaborate on updating a nearly 30-year-old TV/film co-production treaty between the two countries, with the aim of facilitating more partnerships. 

They signed their existing treaty in 1997, setting terms for animated and live-action projects that currently require a party from each country to participate at a 20% to 80% level.  

Denmark’s Minister of Culture Jacob Engel-Scmidt announced last Friday that the countries have just begun to work on a new treaty framework that will reflect many changes the industry has absorbed since the first agreement was signed. According to the Minister’s statement, “A new treaty should strengthen both economic and cultural cooperation and benefit the film industries in both countries.” 

In particular, Denmark is hoping to reduce the 20% minimum share of involvement for Danish producers who want to work with partners in Canada. 

Engel-Schmidt’s ambition is to “make Denmark a powerhouse for film and television production,” and he feels a new treaty would go a long way towards putting Danish productions and talent on the map. “We must continue to have great film experiences from Hollywood, but this is also the time to strengthen cooperation with other like-minded countries on great cultural experiences,” he said. “We must [make] it easier for more Danish producers to enter into cooperation with Canadian producers.” 

Danish Film Institute MD Tine Fischer points out that Denmark and Canada have made several successful co-productions together in recent years—inlcuding drama The Kindness of Strangers (2019), documentary Twice Colonized (2023) and Oscar nominee The Apprentice (2024).

And Aircraft Pictures’ Julián (pictured) is a Canadian/Danish co-pro for kids that Telefilm financed in 2024/2025. Involving Denmark’s Sun Creature, Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon and Melusine Productions in Luxembourg, this 90-minute 2D-animated feature film explores gender and identity through the lens of a young boy who wants to be a mermaid.